The Addictions and related-Research Group (ARG) at Sangath was co-founded by Dr Abhijit Nadkarni and Professor Richard Velleman in 2014, with the intention to create a world-class research group that works on advancing the research agenda focussed on addictions and related mental health in low resource settings.

Building on Sangath’s previous work, the ARG forayed into addictions-research from a public health perspective, which was a relatively less explored domain in India at the time. The goal was simple: to ensure that people have access to good quality care for addictions and related problems, closer to their own communities. The ARG’s vision was to create a sustainable group of researchers and health workers championing the field of addictions research in India while placing the needs of the community at the center. While delivering home-based interventions for alcohol use disorders, the ARG recognised the presence of other closely connected issues that often co-existed with substance use such as domestic violence and well-being of families of people with substance use problems. This led to the development and delivery of projects to provide community-based counselling to families of people with drinking problems and survivors of domestic violence. 

Gradually, the group’s work expanded to address the current gaps in mental healthcare and the needs of the communities we serve. The ARG now produces research on domestic violence, dating violence, adult depression, telepsychiatry, COVID-19 and mental health, and so much more. The ARG strives to continue improving and increasing access to mental healthcare in India.